Optical Circuit Alignment Using Vertical Light Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for aligning and fixing optical waveguide devices with optical fibers are complex and costly, requiring high positional accuracy and individual alignment of multiple optical fiber core wires and waveguides, which increases the difficulty and expense of optical alignment.
Innovation Solution
An optical circuit with alignment optical waveguides and flip-up reflection mirrors that change the light path to a vertical direction, allowing light to be detected from the surface of the optical waveguide device for easy and cost-effective alignment by reflecting light upward for detection, eliminating the need for through-type waveguides and reducing implementation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical alignment methods are used to align optical waveguide devices with optical fibers, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by using reflection mirrors to redirect light from horizontal waveguides to vertical detection paths. This allows optical detection from the surface of the device rather than requiring complex through-type waveguides, thereby reducing alignment complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflection mirrors act as intermediaries that transfer optical signals from the waveguide cores to the detection surface. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the detection system by eliminating the need for direct through-type waveguide access, reducing both device complexity and alignment difficulty.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If through-type waveguides are used for optical detection, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing waveguides through the entire device thickness, the patent uses reflection mirrors to redirect light to the surface, utilizing the vertical dimension for detection. This approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex through-type waveguide structures while maintaining effective optical detection capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical fiber core wires and waveguides are individually aligned, then connection precision is improved, but alignment time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple alignment functions into a unified surface detection system. By using reflection mirrors to redirect light from multiple waveguide cores to a common detection surface, the system enables simultaneous or simplified sequential alignment of multiple fibers and waveguides, reducing total alignment time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical structure itself provides alignment guidance through the reflected light paths. The waveguide cores and reflection mirrors are configured such that the optical paths naturally indicate the correct alignment positions, enabling self-aligning characteristics that reduce manual adjustment time and labor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the optical alignment process by detecting light from the surface of the optical waveguide device, reducing alignment complexity and costs, and enabling accurate positioning of the optical connection part, while minimizing the need for precise positioning of light receiving elements.
Implementation Method 1
a light path changing member configured to change a path of light to a vertical direction with respect to an optical axis direction of a core of the alignment optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Optical alignment between an optical waveguide device and an optical connection part is realized easily and at low cost. An optical circuit in which optical waveguides to be connected to optical fibers are formed includes: an alignment optical waveguide configured to be opposed to, on an optical waveguide edge face to which an optical connection part having guide holes for insertion of core wires of the optical fibers is to be fixed, a guide hole into which an alignment optical fiber is to be inserted; and a light path changing member configured to change a path of light to a vertical direction with respect to the optical axis direction of the core of the alignment optical waveguide.